Solar Storm may impact GPS
A geomagnetic storm expected today and tomorrow has been upgraded to G4 (severe) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Solar storms can disrupt GPS and GNSS signals before they arrive on Earth.
According to NOAA, a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the Sun the evening of May 30. Confidence in an Earth-directed component is good, but the CME arrival timing is more uncertain due to the current state of the solar wind. It could arrive as early as late morning EDT, to as late as Sunday evening EDT June 1.
Conditions will likely intensify as CME progression continues and G4 levels remain possible on Monday, June 2.
The center of the bulk CME material is anticipated to be just north of Earth. However, Earth will still likely undergo passage of much of the CME material. Arrival will likely lead to immediate geomagnetic disturbances with the potential for G4.
Conditions will likely intensify as CME progression continues and G4 levels remain possible on Monday, June 2.
Geomagnetic storm levels will likely begin subsiding by Tuesday with G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) still possible.
Visit the NOAA website for the latest information and updates.
About the Author: Tracy Cozzens
Senior Editor Tracy Cozzens joined GPS World magazine in 2006. She also is editor of GPS World’s newsletters and the sister website Geospatial Solutions. She has worked in government, for non-profits, and in corporate communications, editing a variety of publications for audiences ranging from federal government contractors to teachers.
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